Playing The Game In Style At The Rotary Boys And Girls Club
The Rotary Style Basketball program is known for having the best teams, best athletes, and best coaching in the Pacific Northwest; however, most people never realize how successful Style team members become not only in athletics, but in business and life.
We spoke with Boys and Girls Club Athletic Director Daryll Hennings to discuss the team’s overall goals and how the team impacts the lives of many Central District kids.
Q. What is your favorite part about coaching?
A. Having an impact on young people. Seeing a group of kids come to me as individuals and grow into a family. Watching and admiring how friendships are developed amongst youth. And most of all, observing the joy on kids’ and parents’ faces when they experience success.
Q. What is your best Style memory?
A. I can’t say I have one memory that is the best; however, one that comes to mind is when Dan Finkley and I sat down in 1992 and decided to attempt to build a basketball program for inner city kids. The theory was that by giving them something positive to feel a part of, they would be less likely to have the time to do something negative. I’m amazed to see what this has evolved into and how many young people have been touched as a result. It’s a rewarding feeling.
Q. What is the one takeaway you want your players to have when they leave the team?
A. To feel as though we have made a positive impact on their life and provided them with experiences that will never be forgotten, to have developed friendships that will last a lifetime and to know that they will always be a part of the Rotary Style family.
Q. What does Style do to promote education?
A. We hold our kids to a high standard with regards to academics. In an attempt to get our youth level kids (4th thru 8th grade) prepared for high school basketball, wherein they will be required to uphold a 2.0 GPA to participate, we mandate that all kids participating on our teams maintain a 2.5 GPA. Those that don’t are required to attend weekly tutoring sessions at Rotary B&GC REAP center (some opt for other options of tutoring).
Q. How can more kids get involved in Style?
A. Unfortunately, the Style team is at its capacity at this time; however, kids can get involved with Style through our in-house Rotary Basketball leagues and by way of our yearly tryout process. Rotary in-house leagues run on a quarterly basis.
Q. Who is the best player you have coached?
A. I can’t answer that (if the wrong person were to see this, I could be in a lot of trouble). We’ve been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a lot of talented individuals. Some examples: Jimmy Haywood, Roydell Smiley Jr., Edward Roy, Brandon Roy, Maurice Murphy, Roderick Stewart, Loderick Stewart, Marvin Williams, Chester Giles, Terrance Williams, Marcus Williams, Aaron Brooks, Marcelus Kemp, Rodney Stuckey, Garrison Carr, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, as well as many others.
Q. Several of your players have continued on to play in college and in the pros. Are they still involved with the team by volunteering or giving back?
A. Marvin Williams has had a very demanding schedule over his first two years in the NBA, so he has not had a lot of time to come back and volunteer; however, he has helped the basketball program and the club financially. He will be back in town this summer and will do a few camps for the kids and will attend a few youth practices and games just to hang out with the little guys. He is a very giving person and knows the impact this program has had on his life.
Aaron Brooks is a different story. Aaron grew up in the Club. Whenever he is back in Seattle, Aaron comes in to Rotary, gets a snack (just like the everyday kids), hangs out in the Teen Center, and shoots hoops with the little kids. If you didn’t know who he was, you’d think he was just one of the after-school kids. Aaron has matured into a great and proud young man, as we all knew he would.
A few months ago, our high school team was participating in a tournament in Las Vegas. Aaron and Marcus Williams (another of our prestigious alum) were in Vegas working out to get ready for this year’s NBA draft. They attended every game our team played and sat on the bench with the players.
Q. Any new prospects coming up through the ranks?
A. We have a lot of new talent coming through: Peyton Siva, Aaron Dotson, Joshua Smith, Anthony Wroten Jr., Pierre Wright, Anrio Adams, DJ Fenner, Jaamon Echols, Glen Brooks Jr., LC White, Malik Ball, Arell Hennings, Demario Hall, Alonzo Trier, Philip Winston, Elijah Foster, Anthony Childs, Jordan Kitchen, Jamar Kemp, as well as many others.
Q. Would you like to say anything else about the Style team?
A. The following list of individuals make the foundation around Style and to them I’m very grateful: Dan Finkley, Adam Sedlik, Jo Jo Rodriguez, Tyrone Elliott, Andro Benard, Demario Hall Sr., Stephan Aaron, Lance Westendorf, Kevin Greer, Ryland Brown, Michael Thompson, Kent Hara, Cleveland King, Francis Williams, Jason Kerr, Mike Bethea, Guy Williams, David Sarju, Gregory Lewis, JD Hill, Glen Smith and last but definitely not least Angel Hennings. This program requires a lot of hard work, but together we make a positive impact on an abundance of kids here in the King County area. And for that reason, all of the hard work is definitely worthwhile.
—Amy Greenberg
Boys and Girls Club Board Member and Squire Park resident